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You are in... Forums > Discuss This > Drives > Ford Focus ST (2012) CAR review
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Joined:
Sep 07
Posts: 2592
admin says:
Nov 10
Posts: 106
EdinG37 says:
That front end looks like a garoupa fish struggling for air!
Feb 11
Posts: 230
rojay says:
It all looks a bit... aftermarket. But I guess that's the look they were going for?
Yes, the Astra and Golf are more expensive but they look it too. Plus, will it be that much better value once residuals are taken into account...?
May 11
Posts: 112
stormypetrol says:
That garoupa-fish looks like it's going to suck its number plate down its gullet...
Jun 07
Posts: 1005
chrisward1978 says:
The best looking of the current generation Focii, but that is faint praise indeed. If ever there was a car gasping (judging by the shape of the grill, or should that be 'gill') for a midlife facelift, it is the Focus.
Thinking on, Ford's usually surehanded styling department seems to have gone on strike in recent years. (Or they have been poached en masse from Peugeot? Or from The Deep in Hull?)
Also, am I the only person who has noticed the deep malaise within Ford's current European line up?
The last issue of Car was literally gushing with praise for the current Ford CEO. But I really have to wonder if we're talking about the same company? He may have done good things to shore up the company's bottom line, and I don't doubt his "One Ford" strategy makes financial sense, but where is the product buzz? In that respect, Ford have clearly lost their way.
Feb 07
Posts: 4492
bertandnairobi says:
That´s a good analysis. Ford seem to be back where they were before the Focus 1 came out. I would have to disagree that about the Mondeo. It might not be selling well but not because it´s a bad car. I think it looks good, seems well made and drives very well. Sure, I prefer the previous one which is a neater size, but in the context of today´s bloated cars, the Mondeo is not the worst sinner.
Aug 06
Posts: 363
Agoogy says:
Ugly car with messy dashboard, no character... Nice figures though. After huge discounting this will be a decent success..
Nov 06
Posts: 267
rickerby says:
Crisward1978 analysis is a little sweeping. The Fiesta has generally always outsold the Focus. Superminis is where the non-premium volume is. The cuurent Focus seems to be doing pretty well sales wise though and the new 1.0 3 cylinder is supposed to be flying out the door. The Mondeo is not helped by it size, but all non-premium large cars are suffering unless manufacturers literally give them away as Vauxhall is doing with the Insignia. The Kuga is not really a Quashi competitor, there are no cheap 2 wheel drive 1.6 versions of the Kuga, its positioned more upmarket allowing the Focus to take the bread and butter sales. The C Max/S Max are hardly niche, they are mainstream MPV's. Fords Velencia plan is supposed to be struggling to keep up with European demand for the C Max, again Ford dont need to discount them to death so you dont see that many on UK roads.
@rickerby My analysis might be a touch awry, not being a pundit. I simply note that there is absolutely zero buzz about the current line up. Dire 1990s offerings apart, you could usually count on Ford for a bit of hooplah; a bit of theatre. I simply do not see any of that in these guppy-faced offerings. The odd hot hatch or even bringing the Mustang to Europe will not cure the perceived malaise overnight. And in the meantime, across Europe premium German makers, the VW group and the Korean marques are stepping in and eating Ford's lunch.
That said, the new Mondeo might be interesting, if they get the materials and detailing right. But they won't, will they?
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